Method and system for controlling phase of a signal

ABSTRACT

A method of generating a signal being phase-shifted at a predetermined phase-shift division factor relative to a reference signal is disclosed. The method comprises: using the predetermined phase-shift division factor for selecting a modulation amplitude, modulating a control signal at the selected modulation amplitude, and combining the reference signal and the control signal to form the phase-shifted.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IB2014/066512 having International filing date Dec. 2, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/010,470 filed on Jun. 11, 2014, and which is also a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IB2014/059995 filed on Mar. 20, 2014, now withdrawn, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/803,471 filed on Mar. 20, 2013, now expired. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to signal manipulation and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and system for controlling phase.

Phase controllers are devices configured to control the phase of a signal relative to some reference phase. Known in the art are systems including radiofrequency (RF) phase detectors that are used to measure phase differences.

Determination and/or control of phase is known for many applications. For example, U.S. Published Application No. 20010045513 teaches measurement of an internal structure by changing a phase difference between the two signals and detecting a change in light intensity due to interference. U.S. Published Application No. 20100182588 discloses use of the analog or digital phase shift controls in a system that determines a distance to a retro-reflective object by means of optical signals transmitted to and from the object. U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,702 discloses use of phase shift for the purpose of sorting out and classifying timber in terms of knots. U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,548 discloses a phase-sensitive flow cytometer, wherein a phase detector resolves modulated intensity signal into two signal components which respectively relate to fluorescence decay lifetimes of fluorescent emission spectra. U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,183 discloses measuring moisture and salt content by measuring attenuation and phase shift of microwaves. U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,288 teaches polarizing signal beams to differ in phase by ninety degrees for the purpose of determining air flow direction and velocity of air. U.S. Published Application No. 20120176596 uses phase shift two signals to determine the transit time of light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of generating a signal being phase-shifted at a predetermined phase-shift division factor relative to a reference signal. The method comprises: using the predetermined phase-shift division factor for selecting a modulation amplitude; modulating a control signal at the selected modulation amplitude, wherein a cosine of a phase difference between the reference signal and the control signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.5; and combining the reference signal and the control signal to form the phase-shifted signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the invention the method comprises generating at least one of the control signal and the reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the invention the method comprises selecting a value of a phase of the control signal based on the selected modulation amplitude.

According to some embodiments of the invention the invention the method comprises selecting a value of a phase of the control signal, wherein the selection of the modulation amplitude is based also on the selected phase.

According to some embodiments of the invention the invention the method comprises sequentially repeating the selection of the modulation amplitude, the modulation of the control signal and the combining at least once, each time using a previously formed phase-shifted signal as the reference signal.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a phase shifter system. The system comprises: an amplitude selection circuit, configured for selecting, based on a predetermined phase-shift division factor, a modulation amplitude; a modulation circuit, configured for modulating a control signal at the selected modulation amplitude, wherein a cosine of a phase difference between the reference signal and the control signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.95; and a signal combiner configured for combining the reference signal and the control signal to form a phase-shifted signal relative to the reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the modulation circuit is a signal generation and modulation circuit configured for generating at least one of the control signal and reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the invention the system comprises a circuitry array having a plurality of array elements, each having at least one of: a respective amplitude selection circuit, a respective modulation circuit and a respective signal combiner, wherein a phase-shifted signal formed at each array element is used as a reference signal at a subsequent array element, if present.

According to some embodiments of the invention the selected modulation amplitude is substantially smaller than a modulation amplitude of the reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention a ratio between the modulation amplitude of the reference signal and the selected modulation amplitude is at least 5. According to some embodiments of the invention a ratio between the modulation amplitude of the reference signal and the selected modulation amplitude is at least 10. According to some embodiments of the invention a ratio between the modulation amplitude of the reference signal and the selected modulation amplitude is at least 100. According to some embodiments of the invention a ratio between the modulation amplitude of the reference signal and the selected modulation amplitude is at least 1000.

According to some embodiments of the invention the combining comprises summing.

According to some embodiments of the invention the combining comprises multiplication to provide a multiplication signal, followed by extraction from the multiplication signal components being linearly proportional to each of the reference signal and the control signal.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal. The method comprises: varying a modulation of at least one of the signals such that a ratio between modulation amplitudes of the signal and the reference signal is at least 0.9 and at most 1.1, and a cosine of a phase difference between the reference signal and the signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.95; and forming an output signal which is a linear combination of the reference signal and the signal, following the variation, the linear combination being characterized by a linear combination coefficient which is within 10% from an additive inverse of a nearest integer of the cosine.

According to some embodiments of the invention the method comprises generating at least one of the signals.

According to some embodiments of the invention the method comprises measuring a phase of the output signal relative to the reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the method comprises measuring a change of phase of the output signal over time.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal. The system comprises: a modulation circuit, configured for varying a modulation of at least one of the signals such that a ratio between modulation amplitudes of the signal and the reference signal is at least 0.9 and at most 1.1, and a cosine of a phase difference between the signal and the reference signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.95 and less than 1; and a signal combiner configured for forming a linear combination of the signals, following the variation, the linear combination being characterized by a linear combination coefficient which is within 10% from an additive inverse of a nearest integer of the cosine.

According to some embodiments of the invention the modulation circuit is a signal generation and modulation circuit configured for generating at least one of the signal and the reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the system comprises a phase detector circuit configured for measuring a phase of the output signal relative to the reference signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention the system comprises a phase-change detector circuit configured for measuring a change of phase of the output signal over time.

According to some embodiments of the invention the linear combination is formed by a signal summing circuit.

According to some embodiments of the invention the linear combination is formed by a signal subtraction circuit.

According to some embodiments of the invention the linear combination is formed optically.

According to some embodiments of the invention the linear combination is formed by multiplying the signal to provide a multiplication signal, and extracting from the multiplication signal components being linearly proportional to each of the signals.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for measuring an internal structure of an object, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for measuring a distance to an object, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for measuring a motion characteristic, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an interferometer system, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for measuring flow, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a radiofrequency transceiver, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an optical transceiver, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a communication system, comprising the system as delineated above and optionally and preferably as further detailed below.

According to some embodiments of the invention the absolute value of the cosine is at least 0.99. According to some embodiments of the invention the absolute value of the cosine is at least 0.995. According to some embodiments of the invention the absolute value of the cosine is at least 0.999. According to some embodiments of the invention the absolute value of the cosine is at least 0.9995. According to some embodiments of the invention the absolute value of the cosine is at least 0.9999.

According to some embodiments of the invention a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is in a radiofrequency range. According to some embodiments of the invention a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is in a sub-kilohertz range. According to some embodiments of the invention a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is in a kilohertz range. According to some embodiments of the invention a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is in megahertz range. According to some embodiments of the invention a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is in gigahertz range.

According to some embodiments of the invention each of the signals is carried by a carrier electrical signal, wherein a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is at least 10 times lower than a carrier frequency of the carrier electrical signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention each of the signals is carried by a carrier ultrasound signal, wherein a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is at least 10 times lower than a carrier frequency of the carrier ultrasound signal.

According to some embodiments of the invention each of the signals is carried by a carrier optical signal, wherein a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and the control signal is at least 10 times lower than a carrier frequency of the carrier optical signal.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration describing the general principle of a technique for controlling the phase of a signal S relative to a reference signal S_(ref), according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of a method suitable for generating a signal that is phase-shifted at a predetermined phase-shift division factor relative to a reference signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a repetition scheme, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a phase shifter system, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a phase shifter system, in embodiments of the invention in which the system comprises a circuitry array;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of a method suitable for amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system for amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-C are graphs demonstrating that when a ratio between amplitudes is generally constant, a large change in the phase difference at the input translates to a smaller change of the phase difference at the output for various values of the division factor;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs demonstrating that using a repetition scheme a large change in the phase difference at the input translates to a smaller change of the phase difference at the output;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a system for controlling the phase shift of a modulated signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are graphs showing phase shift values as a function of the deviation of the input phase shift from 0 or π;

FIG. 12 is a graph of the dependence of a modulation amplitude at the output signal on the deviation of the input phase shift from 0 or π;

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a system for sensing the displacement of an object, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a signal concatenation process according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to signal manipulation and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and system for controlling phase.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration describing the general principle of a technique for controlling the phase of a signal S relative to a reference signal S_(ref), according to some embodiments of the present invention. The signals typically carry information in the form of some kind of modulation applied to a carrier wave. For example, when the information is carried, e.g., by amplitude modulation, each signal can be expressed mathematically as A_(i) cos(Ω_(i)t+θ_(i))exp(jω_(i),t), where A_(i) is the respective modulation amplitude, Ω_(i) is the respective modulation frequency, θ_(i) is the respective modulation phase, ω_(i) is the respective carrier frequency and j is an imaginary number satisfying j²=−1. Typically, both the signal and the reference signal are modulated at the same modulation frequency Ω. While the embodiments below are described with a particular emphasis to amplitude modulation, it is to be understood that any type of modulation can be employed for any of the embodiments described herein. In particular, any of the embodiments described herein can be applied to a signal modulated by frequency modulation, and any of the embodiments described herein can be applied to a modulated by phase modulation.

Each of the signals S and S_(ref) can be either generated or received from an external source.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the modulation of the signals is such that there is phase difference θ_(in) between the modulation phases of the signals that is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians.

As used herein, a phase difference θ_(in) is said to be “sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians” when the cosine of the phase difference θ_(in) satisfies the relation C_(min)≤|cos(θ_(in))|≤1, where C_(min) is at least 0.90 or at least 0.95 or at least 0.99 or at least 0.995 or at least 0.999 or at least 0.9995 or at least 0.9999.

In some embodiments of the present invention, it is not necessary for the phase difference θ_(in) to be very small or very close to π radians. In these embodiments, the cosine of the phase difference θ_(in) satisfies the relation K_(min)≤|cos(θ_(in))|≤1, where K_(min) is at least 0.5 or at least 0.6 or at least 0.7 or at least 0.8 or at least 0.89.

While FIG. 1 schematically illustrates that modulation is applied to both S and S_(ref), this need not necessarily be the case, since, for some applications, the modulation is applied only to one of the signals, while the modulation of the other signal remains unchanged. Further, although the two signals are shown as entering and exiting a modulation block, this need not necessarily be the case, since for some applications, one or both of the signals can be generated by a signal generator that already provides the desired modulation for the respective signal.

The two signals are combined to form an output signal S_(out) having a phase θ_(out) relative to the reference signal. The present inventor found that a judicious selection of θ_(in) and the ratio between the amplitudes of the signals can ensure that any change Δθ_(in) in θ_(in) results in a change in the modulation phase of S_(out), relative to S_(ref), which is substantially different from Δθ_(in), e.g., 10-10,000 times higher or 10-10,000 times lower than Δθ_(in).

This discovery by the present inventors is useful, for example, for increasing phase resolution, for example for the purpose of forming a phase-shifted signal.

Phase resolution can be defined in either absolute or relative manner.

In absolute manner, phase resolution can be viewed as the minimal realizable angular step between two adjacent phases on a phase axis, and in relative manner, phase resolution can be viewed as the ratio between two absolute phase resolutions. The advantage of relative phase resolution is that it can be defined irrespectively of the phase measuring device.

In the following, the term “phase-shift division factor” will be used to denote the ratio between a change in phase difference at the output and a corresponding change in phase difference at the input, where the phase difference at the output is the phase of the output signal relative to the reference signal, and the phase difference at the input is the phase of the signal relative to the same reference signal.

It is noted that since the phase differences at the input and at the output are with respect to the same reference, the term phase-shift division factor also characterizes a phase shifter system that receives an input signal having an input phase and provides an output signal having an output phase that equals the input phase multiplied by the phase-shift division factor.

According to this definition, lower values for the phase-shift division factor correspond to lower minimal angular steps on a phase axis at the output, namely higher absolute resolution, and higher values for the phase-shift division factor correspond to amplification of the phase difference at the output relative to the phase difference at the input.

The discovery by the present inventors is also useful for increasing phase shifts, for example for the purpose of measuring small phase shifts and/or small changes in phase shifts.

Following is a more detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention, with reference to flowchart and block diagrams. It is to be understood that, unless otherwise defined, the operations described hereinbelow can be executed either contemporaneously or sequentially in many combinations or orders of execution. Specifically, the ordering of the flowchart diagrams is not to be considered as limiting. For example, two or more operations, appearing in the following description or in the flowchart diagrams in a particular order, can be executed in a different order (e.g., a reverse order) or substantially contemporaneously. Additionally, several operations described below are optional and may not be executed.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of a method suitable for generating a signal that is phase-shifted at a predetermined phase-shift division factor relative to a reference signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The method begins at 100 and continues to 101 at which a reference signal S_(ref) is generated or received. The method optionally and preferably continues to 102 at which a modulation amplitude is selected based on a predetermined phase-shift division factor. The predetermined phase-shift division factor can be received from a user or it can be stored or encoded in a circuit that selects the modulation amplitude. The predetermined phase-shift division factor is optionally and preferably less than 1. Representative values for a predetermined phase-shift division factor contemplated according to some embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, 0.1 or less, or 0.01 or less, or 0.001 or less, or 0.0001 or less. Other, typically lower values are also contemplated.

As will be explained below (see 104 in FIG. 2) the selected amplitude is used for modulating a control signal. There is more than one way for selecting the amplitude. In some embodiments, the selected amplitude is proportional (e.g., linearly proportional) to the predetermined phase-shift division factor. For example, the selected modulation amplitude can be the amplitude of the reference signal multiplied by the predetermined phase-shift division factor. As a more specific example, the modulation amplitude can be selected to be g times smaller than the amplitude of the reference signal, where g is at least 5 or at least 10 or at least 50 or at least 100 or at least 500 or at least 1000. Other criteria for selecting the modulation amplitude are also contemplated. For example, a phase-dependent modulation amplitude or a set of predetermined modulation amplitudes can be selected, as is further detailed hereinunder.

The amplitude can be selected by the user numerically, or it can be tuned to its selected value by gradually varying the modulation amplitude of the control signal. Thus, operation 102 can be executed either before or after the control signal is generated.

The method optionally continues to 103 at which a modulation phase value relative to a modulation phase of the reference signal is selected. The phase value is preferably such that there is a predetermined phase difference θ_(in) between the phase θ₁ of the reference signal and the selected phase θ₂. In some embodiments, the predetermined phase difference θ_(in) satisfies K_(min)≤|cos (θ_(in))|≤1, more preferably, but not necessarily, the predetermined phase difference θ_(in) satisfies C_(min)≤|cos(θ_(in))|≤1, where K_(min) and C_(min) are as defined above.

When θ_(in) is close to 0, for example, when |θ_(in)| is less than 0.1 radians less than 0.01 radian or less than 0.001 radian, the modulation amplitude can be selected to be smaller, equal or larger than the amplitude of the reference signal. Modulation amplitude that is smaller than the amplitude of the reference signal (e.g., by a factor of g as further detailed hereinabove), is, however, preferred from the standpoint of obtaining a low value of the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in).

The phase value can be selected dynamically, during the execution of method 100, or it can be received as an input or be predetermined in which case 103 may be skipped.

The selection of modulation amplitude at 102 can be executed either before or after the modulation phase value is obtained. When the modulation amplitude is selected after the phase value is obtained (selected or received as input), the modulation amplitude is optionally selected also based on the modulation phase. For example, the method can select smaller modulation amplitudes for smaller modulation phases, according to some predetermined criteria.

The modulation phase value can be selected by the user numerically, or it can be tuned to its selected value by gradually varying the modulation phase of the control signal. Thus, operation 103 above can be executed either before or after the control signal is generated.

The method preferably continues to 104 at which a control signal is modulated at the selected modulation amplitude and phase. The control signal can be received from an external source, in which case the modulation 104 only modulates the control signal. If the control signal is received from the external source in a modulated form, modulation 104 manipulates the modulation of the control signal. The control signal can alternatively be generated by the method, in which case control signal can either be generated in a modulated form, or first be generated in an unmodulated form and then be modulated. In any event the final modulation of the control signal provided by 104 is characterized by the selected amplitude and phase value. Preferably, both the control signal and the reference signal are modulated at generally the same (e.g., within less than 1% or less than 0.1% or within less than 0.01%) modulation frequency.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention the method continues to 105 at which the reference signal (which can enact signal S_(ref) in FIG. 1) and the control signal (signal S in the present embodiments) are combined to form the phase-shifted signal S_(out). Referring again to FIG. 1, the reference signal can enact signal S_(ref), the control signal can enact signal S, and the phase-shifted signal can enact signal S_(out).

The combination 105 is preferably executed to form a linear combination of the control and reference signals. This can be done electronically, using an electric circuit, or optically using an optical assembly as further detailed above. The linear combination can be obtained either directly, for example, using a signal summing circuit, or indirectly, for example, by signal multiplication followed by extraction of signal components that are linearly proportional to each of the reference signal and the control signal.

These two embodiments can be formulated mathematically as follows.

Denoting the modulation of the reference signal by A +a cos(Ωt+θ₁) and the modulation of the control signal by B+b cos(Ωt+θ₂), a direct summation provides a summed signal S_(out)=A+B+a cos(Ωt+θ₁)+b cos(Ωt+θ₂), where θ₂−θ₁=θ_(in).S_(out) can be written as D+E cos(Ωt+θ_(out)), where D=A+B, and where E and θ_(out) depend upon the amplitudes and phases at the input. Within a preferred linear region of operation, the output signal S_(out) is phase shifted relative to the reference signal θ₁, at the amount of θ_(out)−θ₁, where θ_(out)−θ₁ is approximately equal to (b/a) (θ₂−θ₁).

In the embodiments in which signal multiplication is employed, the multiplication provides a signal AB+Ab cos(Ωt+θ₂)+Ba cos(Ωt+θ₁)+ab cos(Ωt+θ₁)cos(Ωt+θ₂), which has two terms that are linearly proportional to the control and reference signals (the second and third terms). These two terms can be extracted, for example, by filtering out the unwanted fourth term and optionally also the first term, to provide a signal S_(out)=Ab cos(Ωt+θ₂)+Ba cos(Ωt+θ₁), which can be written as D′+E′ cos(Ωt+θ_(out)), where D′ and E′ are constants which are not necessarily the same as D and E obtained by direct summation, and θ_(out) is a phase that is the same as obtained by direct summation.

Thus, each of the above signal combination techniques provides an output signal that is phase-shifted by the same amount relative to the reference signal. It was found by the present inventor that the above procedure can be executed to ensure that the phase difference θ_(out)−θ₁ at the output is smaller than the phase difference θ_(in) at the input, so that the ratio between a change in θ_(out)−θ₁ and a change in θ_(in) is less than 1 and equals the desired predetermined phase-shift division factor.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention the phase shift value and the modulation amplitude are selected at 102 and 103 such that the dependence of the output change on the input phase change is generally linear over a region that is sufficiently wide for the respective application employing the method.

As used herein “generally linear” means a deviation from linearity of at most 50% or at most 25% or at most 10% or at most 1%.

The advantage of having for having a generally linear dependence is that large deviations from linearity can reduce the resolution or amplification of the phase shift. Another advantage is that it is easier to control and operate the device when there is a generally linear dependence since higher-order signal analysis is not required.

In some embodiments of the present invention the width of the region over which the dependence of the output change on the input phase change is at least X radians, wherein X is optionally and preferably 0.01 or 0.05 or 0.1 or 0.2 or 0.3 or 0.4 or 0.5 or 0.6 or 0.7 or 0.8 or 0.9 or 1 or 1.1 or more.

The present Inventors contemplate embodiments in which both the modulation phase and the modulation amplitude are varied in a dependent manner, for example, such as to maintain a generally constant (e.g., within a variation of at most 30% or at most 20% or at most 10% or at most 5% or at most 1%) slope of θ_(out) as a function of θ_(in). The advantage of these embodiments is that the variation maintains also a generally constant amplitude at the output.

A generally constant slope can be maintained, for example, by selecting the variations of the modulation phase and the modulation amplitude such that the multiplication between the cosine of θ_(in) and the ratio between the amplitude of S and S_(ref) remains generally constant (e.g., within a variation of at most 30% or at most 20% or at most 10% or at most 5% or at most 1%). A representative example for a procedure suitable for dependently varying modulation phase and the modulation amplitude is provided in the Examples section that follows. In the present embodiments, the variations are preferably simultaneous, but may also be executed sequentially, in any order, provided that the relation between the variation in the phase and the variation in the amplitude is selected to ensure that the slope of θ_(out) as a function of θ_(in) is generally constant.

From 105 the method can proceed to end 106, or repeat one or more of the above operations, preferably excluding 101. For example, the output signal S_(out) can be used as a new reference signal with a new reference phase, based on which one or more of operations 102-105 can be re-executed. In these embodiments, a new control signal is optionally and preferably generated, with a re-selected amplitude, wherein the phase difference θ⁽²⁾ _(in), between the phase of the new reference signal and the phase of the new control signal satisfies K_(min)≤|cos(θ⁽²⁾ _(in))|≤1 or more preferably, but not necessarily, C_(min)≤|cos(θ⁽²⁾ _(in))|≤1, where K_(min) and C_(min) are as defined above. The new reference signal and the new control signal can then be combined to form a new output signal. When the criterion for re-selection of the amplitude is similar to the criterion for the previous selection of the amplitude, the new output signal has a new output phase which is further reduced. The present embodiments contemplate an array of a plurality of such repetitions, which thus provide an output signal with an output modulation phase that is substantially reduced relative to the phase-difference at the input.

Such an array is illustrated in FIG. 3, in which at the kth level of the array, k=1, 2, . . . , n the reference signal is denoted S^((k)) _(ref), the control signal is denoted S^((k)) and the phase-difference between the control signal S^((k)) and the reference signal S^((k)) _(ref) is denoted θ^((k)) _(in). For any k, θ^((k)) _(in) preferably satisfies C_(min)≤|cos(θ^((k)) _(in))|≤1 or more preferably, but not necessarily, C_(min)≤|cos(θ^((k)) _(in))|≤1, where K_(min) and C_(min) are as defined above. For the first level, S⁽¹⁾ _(ref) is an input or initially generated signal, and for any other level (k>1) S^((k)) _(ref) is the output of the previous level (level k−1). The output of the nth array level is S_(out) and its phase is denoted θ_(out).

The phase-shift division factor at the kth level, which can be set as the ratio between the changes in θ^((k+1)) _(in) and in θ^((k)) _(in), can be calculated based on the number n such that the accumulated phase-shift division factors of all the levels is the overall desired phase-shift division factor. The amplitude of S^((k)) can be selected based on the increment in phase phase-shift division factor at the kth level. As a representative example, suppose that a phase-shift division factor of 1/1024 is desired, so that any change in θ⁽¹⁾ _(in) results in a change in θ_(out) that is 1024 smaller than the change in θ⁽¹⁾ _(in). Suppose further that there are 10 array levels (namely n=10). According to this example, the phase-shift division factor in each level can be selected to be 0.5, so that the accumulated phase-shift division factor is 0.5¹⁰=1/1024. This can be achieved by selecting the amplitude of S^((k)) to be the same as S^((k)) _(ref) for any level k of the array.

It is to be understood that it is not necessary to calculate the amplitude and phase for S^((k)) dynamically during execution. Knowing the expected output at each level of the array, a set of amplitudes and a set of phases can be calculated in advance, and the amplitude and phase for S^((k)) can be selected from these sets.

In some embodiments, method 100 is executed dynamically wherein at least one of the phase shift θ_(in) and the amplitude ratio between the control and reference signals is dynamically varied in order to effect a controllable variation of the phase θ_(out) hence also the phase difference θ_(out)−θ₁.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a phase shifter system 500, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Phase shifter system 500 is optionally and preferably configured for executing one or more operations of method 100 above. System 500 comprises an amplitude selection circuit 502, configured for selecting, based on the predetermined phase-shift division factor, a modulation amplitude. Circuit 502 preferably calculates the amplitude automatically from the phase-shift division factor and from the modulation parameters of the reference signal, as further detailed hereinabove.

System 500 can also comprise a modulation circuit 504, configured for modulating the control signal at the selected modulation amplitude, such that the phase difference θ_(in) between the phase θ₁ of the reference signal and the selected phase θ₂ satisfies K_(min)≤|cos (θ_(in))|≤1, or more preferably, but not necessarily, C_(min)≤|cos(θ_(in))|≤1, where K_(min) and C_(min) are as defined above. In some embodiments of the present invention circuit 504 is a signal generation and modulation circuit which is configured for generating at least one of the control signal and the reference signal. When circuit 504 generates the reference signal, circuit 502 receives from circuit 504 the phase and amplitude of the reference signal, and returns to circuit 504 the selected amplitude of the control signal. Circuit 504 optionally and preferably communicates with a user interface (not shown) that allows the user to select or tune the amplitude and/or phase, as further detailed hereinabove.

System 500 can also comprise a signal combiner 506, configured for combining the reference signal and the control signal as further detailed hereinabove. In some embodiments, combiner 506 comprises a signal adder circuit. These embodiments are useful when the linear combination coefficient is positive (e.g., q=1). In some embodiments, combiner 506 comprises a signal subtractor circuit. These embodiments are useful when the linear combination coefficient is negative (e.g., q=−1). In some embodiments, combiner 506 comprises a signal multiplier circuit. These embodiments are useful when the linear combination is obtained by multiplication followed by extraction of linear components as further detailed hereinabove.

In some embodiment combiner 506 is an optical assembly configured for performing a linear combination of two signals as known in the art. For example, the optical assembly may comprise a beam splitter followed by an optical detector. When the two signals to be combined are not-mutually coherent optical signals, the output of the detector of the optical assembly is the sum of the intensities of each of the beams. When the two signals to be combined are mutually coherent optical signals, the output from the optical detector of the optical assembly is the intensity of the summed electromagnetic field after the beam splitter. This typically introduces new cross-terms at the detector output which are proportional to the multiplication of the input signals, and can therefore be advantageous in terms of coherent amplification, further comprising for improving detection sensitivity and SNR.

Elements 502, 504 and 506 of system 500 thus form fine phase shifter circuitry referred to herein as circuitry 510. In some embodiments of the present invention System 500 can also comprise coarse phase shifter circuitry 512 for coarsely phase shifting the signal relative to the reference signal. The phase shift generated by coarse phase shifter circuitry 512 is larger than the phase shift generated at the output of fine phase shifter circuitry 510, so that the combined operation of circuitries 510 and 512 can provide an output signal having any phase relative to the reference signal at any resolution. The order of operations of circuitries 510 and 512 can be either such that the input signal is first phase shifted coarsely by circuitry 512 and then being phase shifted more finely by circuitry 512 or vice versa.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustration of phase shifter system 500, in embodiments of the invention in which system 500 comprises a circuitry array 508. The principles of operations of the system according to these embodiments are as described above with reference to FIG. 3. Circuitry array 508 has a plurality of array elements 508-1, 508-2 etc, each having a respective modulation circuit 504 and a respective signal combining circuit 506, and may optionally, but not necessarily, also have a respective amplitude selection circuit. In accordance with the principles described above with reference to FIG. 3, a phase-shifted signal formed at each array element is used as a reference signal at a subsequent array element, if present.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of a method suitable for amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The method begins at 600 and continues to 601 at which a signal S is generated or received, and to 602 at which a reference signal S_(ref) is generated or received. For example, one of the signals (e.g., signal S) can be received following an interaction of that signal with an object, and the other signal (e.g., signal S_(ref)) can be received via a path that does not allow it to interact with the object. The method continues to 603 at which the modulation of at least one of the signals is varied. The variation is optionally and preferably with respect to the modulation amplitude such that the modulation amplitudes of the signal and the reference signal are sufficiently close to each other. Preferably, a ratio between modulation amplitudes of the signal and the reference signal is from about 0.9 to about 1.1, or from about 0.95 to about 1.05, or from about 0.99 to about 1.01, or from about 0.995 to about 1.005, or from about 0.999 to about 1.001 or from about 0.9995 to about 1.0005 or from about 0.9999 to about 1.0001. The variation is optionally and preferably also with respect to the modulation phase, such that such that the phase difference θ_(in) between the phase θ₁ of the reference signal and the phase θ₂ of the signal is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians, as further detailed hereinabove. Optionally, one of signals S and S_(ref) is generated by selected operations of method 100 so as to ensure that the phase difference θ_(in) is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians. The amplitude(s) and phase(s) employed for the modulation variation can be selected by the method or be stored or encoded in a circuit that vary the modulation.

The method preferably continues to 604 at which an output signal S_(out) which is a linear combination of the signals is formed. This can be done electronically, using an electric circuit, or optically using an optical assembly as further detailed below. The combination 604 can be done either directly, for example, using a signal summing circuit, or indirectly, for example, by signal multiplication followed by extraction of signal components that are linearly proportional to each of the signals, as further detailed hereinabove.

The linear combination can be generally written as S_(out)=p(S+qS_(ref)), where p is a normalization parameter, q is a linear combination coefficient and S and S_(ref) are, respectively, the signal and reference signal following the modulation variation 603. The normalization parameter p can be set to any number, e.g., 1. The linear combination coefficient reflects the weight ratio of the two signals and is optionally and preferably selected based on the sign of the cos(θ_(in)). Generally, q is about 1 when cos(θ_(in)) is negative and about −1 when cos(θ_(in)) is positive. This can be written mathematically as q≈−NINT(cos(θ_(in))), where NINT is the nearest integer function and the ≈ sign is to be understood as within 10%. In other words, q optionally and preferably satisfies the conditions sign(q)=−sign(cos(θ_(in))) and 0.9≤|q|≤1.1.

It was found by the present Inventors that the above procedure can ensure that the phase difference of the output signal relative to the reference (θ_(out)−θ₁) is amplified relative to the phase difference θ_(in). As demonstrated in the Examples section that follows, the amplification extent can reach the value of 1/α, where α is the absolute value of the difference between 1 and the ratio between modulation amplitudes of the signals. According to some embodiments of the present invention α can be at most 0.1 or at most 0.05 or at most 0.01 or at most 0.005 or at most 0.0001 or less, so that θ_(out) can be 10 times larger or 20 times larger or 100 times larger or 200 times larger or 1000 times larger or 2000 times larger or 10000 times larger than θ_(in).

In some embodiments of the present invention the method continues to 605 at which the phase of the output signal relative to the reference signal is measured. This can be done using any phase measuring technique known in the art. Representative examples including, without limitation, phase detectors that are commercially available from Mini-Circuits®, USA, and On Semiconductors®, USA.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the method continues to 606 at which a change over time of the phase of the output signal relative to the reference signal is measured. Operation 606 can be executed whether or not the phase of the output signal is known, since a change in a phase of a signal can be measured even when the signal's phase itself is not known. Thus, in some embodiments 605 is executed and 606 is not executed, in some embodiments both 605 and 606 are executed, in some embodiments 605 is not executed and 606 is executed, and in some embodiments none of 605 and 606 is executed.

The method ends at 607.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system 700 for amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal, according to some embodiments of the present invention. System 700 is optionally and preferably configured for executing one or more operations of method 600 above. System 700 comprises a modulation circuit 702, configured for varying a modulation of at least one of the signals as further detailed hereinabove. The amplitude(s) and phase(s) employed for the modulation variation performed by circuit 702 can be selected by system 700, for example, using an amplitude selection circuit (not shown, see FIG. 4), or be stored or encoded in circuit 702.

System 700 can also comprise a signal combiner 704, configured for forming an output signal S_(out) which is a linear combination of the signals, as further detailed hereinabove. In some embodiments, combiner 704 comprises a signal adder circuit. These embodiments are useful when the linear combination coefficient is positive (e.g., q=1). In some embodiments, combiner 704 comprises a signal subtractor circuit. These embodiments are useful when the linear combination coefficient is negative (e.g., q=−1). In some embodiments, combiner 704 comprises a signal multiplier circuit. These embodiments are useful when the linear combination is obtained by multiplication followed by extraction of linear components as further detailed hereinabove.

In some embodiment combiner 704 is an optical assembly configured for performing a linear combination of two signals as known in the art, as further detailed hereinabove with respect to system 500.

In some embodiments of the present invention, system 700 comprises a detector circuit 706, which can configured as phase detector for measuring a phase of the output signal relative to the reference signal, or as a phase-change detector for measuring a change of phase of the output signal over time, or as a combined phase detector and phase-change detector for measuring both the phase of and its change.

System 500 and/or system 700 can be employed in many applications. Generally, one or both these systems can be used in any system in which it is desired to phase-shift a signal and/or to measure a phase shift of the signal. Representative examples of systems suitable for the present embodiments including, without limitation, a system for measuring an internal structure of an object, a system for measuring a distance to an object, a system for measuring a motion characteristic of an object, an interferometer system, a system for measuring flow of fluid (gas or liquid), a radiofrequency transceiver system, an optical transceiver system, a communication system, a signal generating system and the like.

As a representative example, system 500 and/or system 700 can be used in a sensing system that measures one or more characteristics of an object. In these embodiments, a modulated signal interacts with the object. Following the interaction, a change in the modulation of the signal is analyzed to extract one or more characteristics of an object, wherein the characteristics can relate to the structure of the object, the position of the object, the motion of the object or the thermal state of the object.

The transmission of modulated signal to the object can comprise using system 500 above for generating a predetermined phase shift between the transmitted modulated signal and a reference signal. The analysis can comprise detecting the phase of the signal received from the object. This can be done by amplifying the phase using system 700 and then analyzing the amplified phase as known in the art. The reference signal that is used for the amplification performed by system 700 can be generated by system 500. Thus, in these embodiments system 700 and system 500 operate in concert wherein system 500 generates a reference signal S_(ref) at such a phase that ensures with a predetermined phase-shift division factor that the phase difference between the reference signal S_(ref) and the received signal S is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians, and system 500 combines the two signal to effect phase amplification.

The phase of the reference signal may depend upon one or more of the characteristics of an object and deviations from those one or more of the characteristics. For example, phase of the reference signal may depend upon the median position of the object and the small deviations from this position. Such deviations can be due to motion of a moving target object, to scanning of a set of points of a stationary target object, where the points on the target are at different depth positions, or to some combination of motion and varying depth locations of the scanned points on the target object.

There are various ways in which the correct value for the reference phase can be determined, one or more of which may be used in combination.

In some embodiments, the value of reference phase is changed in a controlled fashion (e.g., sawtooth, linear, sinusoidal or some other controlled scan of the values of the reference phase) using a phase shifter such as phase shifter system 500, while simultaneously monitoring the values of θ_(out). From these values of θ_(out) and with the aid of a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the graph of θ_(out) as a function of the reference phase and as a function of the deviation of θ_(in) from π or 0, and appropriate data processing, the value of the reference phase for which θ_(in) is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians can be determined, and therefore the change in the position of the target object can be determined.

In some embodiments, the value of the reference phase is changed in a controlled fashion (e.g., sawtooth, linear, sinusoidal or some other controlled scan of the values of the reference phase) using a phase shifter such as phase shifter system 500 while simultaneously monitoring the values of the modulation amplitude B of the received signal, and with the aid of a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the graph of B vs. the reference phase and vs. the deviation of θ_(in) from 0 or π and appropriate data processing, the value of the reference phase for which θ_(in) is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians. In some embodiments of the present invention the output signal is subjected to signal analysis responsively to a variation in θ_(in). The processing is optionally and preferably executed to determine the change in the deviation of θ_(in) from 0 or π. This change allows extracting information pertaining to the object from which the input signal is received. For example, when the system of the present embodiments is employed for measuring motion characteristics of the object, the change in the deviation of θ_(in) from 0 or π can be used for, e.g., extracting information pertaining to a change in distance to the object.

In some embodiments, the distance to the target object is measured using known techniques, and a value for the reference phase determined by such measurement is used as an input. Examples of known techniques which may be used to measure the distance to the target object include optical distance measurement techniques such as pulsed optical radar, phase-shift optical radar, and triangulation, linear encoding, and other optical or non-optical distance measurement means known in the art. However, in some cases, such known techniques measure the distance to the target object with lower precision than the method described herein. In addition to providing the thus determined value of the reference phase as input, use can be made of the embodiments described hereinabove in order to further zoom-in and determine more precisely the value of the reference phase.

In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to scanning of the value of the reference phase, the value of α is scanned. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to monitoring the modulation phase of the output signal, the modulation amplitude of the output signal is monitored. Knowledge of the dependence of B on the deviation of θ_(in) from 0 or π (and therefore on the reference phase) as described in the examples section that follows (see, e.g., FIG. 12), allows the value of the physical parameter and its variation to be determined.

In some such embodiments, the received signal comprises a signal reflected from the object, e.g., by diffuse reflection or specular reflection. In some embodiments the received signal comprises a signal scattered from the object, in some embodiments, the scattering is selected from the group consisting of Rayleigh scattering, Mie scattering, Tyndall scattering, Brillouin scattering and Raman scattering. In some embodiments, the received signal comprises a signal absorbed by the object and re-emitted therefrom. In some embodiments, the interaction with the object comprises a linear interaction. In some embodiments the interaction with the object comprises a non-linear interaction. In some of the nonlinear interactions the object concurrently interacts with the generated modulated signal and another different signal, e.g., is illuminated with a light source that is not related to the modulated signal.

In some embodiments, the interaction of the modulated signal with the object results in a change of the signal type, such that the generated modulated signal is of one type and the received signal is of another type. For example, if the object is an optoelectronic device, such as a detector, the generated signal may be an electromagnetic signal entering the device, and the received signal may be an electric signal exiting the device. In some embodiments, such an optoelectronic device may be used as a sensor which is sensitive to a parameter P of another object, or a parameter of the optoelectronic device itself may be sensed.

In some embodiments, the object includes a physical parameter which causes the shift between the modulation phase of the transmitted modulated signal and the received signal.

In some embodiments, the physical parameter comprises change in time-of-flight of the generated signal during the interaction with the object. The physical parameter may be any physical parameter which affects the time of flight of the signal. For example, when the interaction with the object comprises transmission through a medium of the object, the change comprises a change in the time of flight of the signal during the time interval between entering and exiting the medium of the object, such as due to a different propagation velocity. As another example, when the interaction comprises reflection or scattering of the signal following impingement on the object, a change in time of flight can result when detecting impingement on a moving object as a result of changes in distance or when scanning a surface as a result of irregularities of the surface.

In some embodiments, the physical parameter comprises a change in the refractive index of the object or a medium thereof. In some such embodiments, any physical parameter that affects the refractive index may be monitored as described hereinbelow. Such physical parameters include, for example, electromagnetic carrier frequency of electromagnetic signals, stress, strain, temperature, electric field, magnetic field, material polarization, electromagnetic polarization, absorption, linear optical effects, nonlinear optical effects, linear electromagnetic effects, nonlinear electromagnetic effects (such as the presence of another electromagnetic field), and the presence or change of additional media such as biological media, organic media, inorganic media, hazardous or polluting media.

In some embodiments, the physical parameter comprises a change in the response time of the receipt of the signal from the object. For example, when the interaction with the object comprises absorption and retransmission of the signal by the object, certain characteristics or parameters of the object may change in the amount of time between the absorption of the signal and the retransmission thereof, resulting in a change in the response time of receipt of the signal from the object. As another example, when the interaction with the object comprises transmission through a medium of the object, the change in response time comprises a change in the response time of the medium in emitting the received signal after the generated modulated signal enters the medium.

The change in response time can be due to changes in one or more of the material parameters of the medium (such as electrical, mechanical, optical parameters of the medium, etc.), the parameters of the wave of the generated modulated signal (such as power, carrier frequency, modulation frequency, etc.), and/or external parameters (such as temperature, stress, strain, etc).

In some embodiments, the physical parameter comprises a parameter which causes a change in the absorption of the generated modulated signal by the object or by interaction therewith. In some embodiments the physical parameter comprises a parameter which causes a change in the amplification of the generated modulated signal by the object or by interaction therewith. In some embodiments the physical parameter comprises a parameter which causes a change in the scattering of the generated modulated signal by the object or by interaction therewith. In some embodiments the physical parameter comprises a parameter which causes a change in the reflection coefficient of the object. In some embodiments the physical parameter comprises a parameter which causes a change in the transmission coefficient of the object.

In some embodiments, the physical parameter comprises any one or more of a change in the carrier frequency (for example via a non-linear effect with the medium), temperature, stress, strain, voltage, radiation polarization, material polarization, and the presence or change of an additional media such as biological media, organic media, inorganic media, hazardous media, and polluting media.

In some embodiments, the object comprises an optical fiber or waveguide. In some embodiments the object comprises a metallic wire or waveguide. In some embodiments, the object comprises a radiation detector. In some embodiments, the object includes a medium comprising water. In some embodiments, the object includes a medium comprising an inorganic liquid. In some embodiments, the object includes a medium comprising an organic liquid. In some embodiments, the object includes a medium comprising a physiological medium, such as tissue, blood, saliva, urine, and the like. In some embodiments, the object comprises a semiconductor, and includes a semiconductor medium. In some embodiments, the object includes a medium comprising a gain medium, such as an optical gain medium, an electromagnetic gain medium, or an electric gain medium. In some embodiments, the object includes an interface between two types of media, for example an interface between a metallic medium and a dielectric medium.

In any of the above embodiments, any type of signal can be employed as a carrier for signals S and S_(ref). In some embodiments, one or both signals is carried by an electromagnetic wave such as an optical beam, in some embodiments of the present invention one or both signals is carried by a mechanical wave (e.g., ultrasound signal, sonic signal, infrasonic signal), and in some embodiments one or both signals is carried by an electrical carrier (e.g., AC current) flowing in a conductive transmission line. The signals S and S_(ref) can be carried by the same or different types of carriers, and the carrier frequencies of the signal S and S_(ref) can be the same or they can differ.

For each of the signals S and S_(ref), the modulation frequency can be the same or less than the carrier frequency of the respective signal. The modulation frequency of S and S_(ref) can be in a sub-kilohertz range (e.g., 0.001 Hz-999 Hz), kilohertz range (e.g., 1 kHz-999 kHz), or a megahertz range (e.g., 1 MHz-999 MHz), or gigahertz range (e.g., 1 GHz-999 GHz). For example, modulation frequency of S and S_(ref) can be in radiofrequency range (e.g., 3 Hz-300 MHz), or the microwave range (e.g., 300 MHz-300 GHz), or a sonic range (e.g., 20 Hz-20 kHz), or an ultrasonic range (e.g., 20 kHz-10 GHz or 20 kHz-5 GHz), or an infrasonic range (e.g., 0.001 Hz-20 Hz).

Any of the above types of signals can be generated by suitable signal generators as known in the art. For example, for an electromagnetic signal, a signal generator selected from the group of a function generator, an arbitrary waveform generator, an RF signal generator, a microwave signal generator, a vector signal generator, a logic signal generator, a radio transmitter, a vacuum tube, a klystron, a travelling-wave tube, a gyrotron, a magnetron, a field-effect transistor, a tunnel diode, a Gunn diode, IMPATT diode, a maser, backward wave oscillator, a synchrotron, a photomixer, a resonant tunneling diode, a laser, a LED and a lamp, can be used. For an acoustic signal, a signal generator selected from the group consisting of a pitch generator, an acoustic transmitter, a transducer, electro-acoustic transducer/array, a speaker, a loudspeaker, a subwoofer loudspeaker, a rotary woofer, an engine and a plasma sound-source can be used. For electrical signals, an electrical current modulator selected from the group of a pulse width modulator, a delta-sigma modulator, pulse-amplitude modulator, pulse-code modulator, pulse-density modulator, pulse-position modulator and a space-vector modulator can be used. In some embodiments, the signal generator comprises a digital computation component.

In some embodiments, the signals S and S_(ref) are both electric signals. In some embodiments, one or more of the signals is non-electric (e.g., electromagnetic, mechanical) and in some embodiments is converted to an electric signal (e.g., by an electromagnetic detector or a mechanical wave detector) so that both S and S_(ref) are eventually electric signals. In these embodiments, the output signal generator comprises an electronic summing circuit.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments.” Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimental support in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions illustrate some embodiments of the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Example 1 Increment of Phase Resolution

As is well known in the art, the sum of two modulated signals (described by the formulas A₁ cos(Ωt+θ₁) and A₂ cos(Ωt+θ₂)) having the same modulation frequency and different modulation phases, results in a new signal, having the same modulation frequency as the summed signals, and having a modulation amplitude and a modulation phase that depend upon the modulation amplitudes and modulation phases of the two summed signals, respectively, as described by the equation: A ₁ cos(Ωt+θ ₁)+A ₂ cos(Ωt+θ ₂)=B cos(Ωt+θ _(out))  (1.1) where Ω=2πf_(m) is the radial modulation frequency and f_(m) is modulation frequency in Hz.

Using trigonometric identities, the modulation amplitude of the signal resulting from summing the two signals is shown to be: B=A ₁√{square root over (1+2{circumflex over (A)} cos(θ_(in))+Â ²)}  (1.2) and the modulation phase of the resulting signal is shown to be:

$\begin{matrix} {{\theta_{out} = {\theta_{1} + {{tn}^{- 1}\frac{\overset{̑}{A}\mspace{11mu}\sin\mspace{11mu}\left( \theta_{in} \right)}{1 + {\overset{̑}{A}\mspace{11mu}\cos\mspace{11mu}\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}}}}{{{{where}\mspace{14mu}\overset{̑}{A}} \equiv {\frac{A_{2}}{A_{1}}\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}\theta_{in}}} = {\theta_{2} - {\theta_{1}.}}}} & (1.3) \end{matrix}$

In some embodiments, in order to control the phase of the output signal to high resolution, it is desired that changes to θ_(in) result in significantly smaller changes to θ_(out). The magnitude of reduction in change values between θ_(in) and θ_(out) can depend on the value of a modulation phase-shift division factor F=1/g.

In some embodiments, the ratio Â of the modulation amplitudes of the summed signals is user-controlled, and is set to be Â=1/g for a desired value of g such that g>1. Such embodiments can be analyzed algebraically for Â which is significantly smaller than 1, mathematically described by Â<<1 so that g is significantly greater than 1, mathematically described as g>>1. In this case, equation (1.3) can be reduced to: θ_(out)≈θ₁ +Â sin(θ_(in))=θ₁+sin(θ_(in))/g.  (1.4)

And therefore, for small phase changes the derivative of eq. (1.4) gives:

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\theta}_{out} = {\frac{\Delta\;\theta_{in}}{g}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}} & (1.5) \end{matrix}$

Analysis of equation (1.5) shows that in a certain range of θ_(in) for which cos(θ_(in)) does not change appreciably, such as when θ_(in) is substantially equal to π or when θ_(in) is substantially equal to 0, Δθ_(out)∝Δθ_(in) /g  (1.6)

FIGS. 8A-C graphically show that using the embodiment described hereinabove in which the value of Â is constant, a large change in θ_(in) translates to a smaller change in θ_(out), at various values of modulation phase shift dividing factor g. In FIG. 8A, Â=1/10 which means that g=10, and the input phase is in the range of −1.5 to 1.5 Rad. In FIG. 8B, Â=1/10which means that g=10, and the input phase is in the range of −0.8 to 0.8 Rad. In FIG. 8C, Â=1/100which means that g=100. As shows in the graphs of FIGS. 8A-C, the change in the phase of the output signal is within a certain range approximately linearly proportional to the change in the input phase divided by g, or, written mathematically, Δθ_(out)∝Δθ_(in)/g, over an input phase range of at least 1 radian. In the region in which θ_(out) is linearly proportional to θ_(in)/g, the amplitude B of the output signal varies by about 3%.

In some embodiments, the ratio Â of the modulation amplitudes of the summed signals is varied in a controlled fashion. For example, the proper value of Â can vary for different values of θ_(in). The present inventor observed that for A₂=A₁=1 in eq. (1.1), namely for a case in which the modulation amplitudes of the signals being summed are equal, the derivative of the eq. (1.3) is equal to:

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{d\;\theta_{out}}{d\;\theta_{in}} = {1/2}} & (1.7) \end{matrix}$

Thus, in this case, the change in the output phase θ_(out) is equal to half the change in the input phase θ_(in). Therefore, the summation of two waves of equal amplitude corresponds to g=2. Based on this observation, performing this operation in N concatenate stages, namely by performing N summations, where at each stage the output of the previous stage is summed with a signal whose amplitude is set to be equal to that of the output of the previous stage and whose phase is constant, results in a final derivative

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{d\;\theta_{{out},N}}{d\;\theta_{in}} = \left( {1/2} \right)^{N}} & (1.8) \end{matrix}$ where θ_(out,N) is the output phase after the N^(th) stage. For example, for N=3, the output phase θ_(out) is equal to the input phase θ_(in) divided by 8, and for N=7 the output phase θ_(out) is equal to the input phase θ_(in) divided by 128. It is appreciated that a similar procedure can be employed for other values.

In some embodiments, in order to achieve the effective realization of N concatenate stages, the value of Â, for a given input phase θ_(in), is selected as follows:

$\begin{matrix} {{\overset{̑}{A} = {1 + {\sum\limits_{k = 2}^{N}a_{k}}}}{where}} & (1.9) \\ {{a_{k} \equiv \left( {2 + {2{\cos\left( \varphi_{k} \right)}}} \right)^{1/2}}{{{{and}\mspace{14mu}\varphi_{1}} = \theta_{in}},{{{so}\mspace{14mu}{that}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu} k} = {2\text{:}}}}} & (1.10) \\ {{\phi_{2} = {\theta_{1} + {{tn}^{- 1}\left( \frac{\sin\left( \theta_{in} \right)}{1 + {\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}} \right)}}}{{{for}\mspace{14mu} k} = {3\text{:}}}} & (1.11) \\ {{\phi_{3} = {{tn}^{- 1}\left( \frac{\sin\left( \phi_{2} \right)}{1 + {\cos\left( \phi_{2} \right)}} \right)}}{{{and}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{general}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu} k} \geq 3}} & (1.12) \\ {\phi_{k} = {{tn}^{- 1}\left( \frac{\sin\left( \phi_{k - 1} \right)}{1 + {\cos\left( \phi_{k - 1} \right)}} \right)}} & (1.13) \end{matrix}$

FIGS. 9A and 9B graphically show that using the embodiments described in EQs. (1.7)-(1.13) a large change in θ_(in) translates to a smaller change in θ_(out,N), at various stages N. In FIG. 9A, N=3, and in FIG. 9B, N=6. Both graphs illustrate that the change in the output phase θ_(out,N) is 2^(N) smaller than the change in the input phase θ_(in). The graphs show that the amplitude B of the output signal varies as well, limiting the usable range of θ_(in) to approximately π radians. It is to be understood that other choices of Â, for a given input phase θ_(in) are also possible and can result in Δθ_(out)∝Δθ_(in)/g. This can be seen by evaluating from eq. (3) the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in) and determining under what conditions it has a value less than 1. For θ_(in) close to zero or π, Â is preferably less than 1, and more preferably less than 0.1.

A concatenation process contemplated according to some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 14, where B_(k), k=1, 2, . . . , n is the amplitude of the output signal at the kth level, and ξ_(k)≈θ₁+Δθ_(in)/g^(k).

Also contemplated, are embodiments in which both Â and θ_(in) are varied such that the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in) remains generally constant during the variation. From Equation 1.3 above, the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in) and the output amplitude B satisfy:

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{d\;\theta_{out}}{d\;\theta_{in}} = \frac{{\hat{A}}^{2} + {\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}}{1 + {2\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}} + {\hat{A}}^{2}}} & (1.14) \\ {B \approx {\sqrt{1 + {2\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}} + {\hat{A}}^{2}}.}} & (1.15) \end{matrix}$

For θ_(in) which is sufficiently small or sufficiently close to π radians, and for sufficiently small values of Â, the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in) and output amplitude B can be approximated as:

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{d\;\theta_{out}}{d\;\theta_{in}} \approx \frac{\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}{1 + {2\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}}} & (1.16) \\ {{B \approx \sqrt{1 + {2\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}}},} & (1.17) \end{matrix}$ so that both dθ_(out)/dθ_(in) and B depends θ_(in) through the expression Â cos(θ_(in)). Thus, according to some embodiments of the present invention both Â and θ_(in) are dependently varied in a manner that maintains Â cos(θ_(in)) generally constant. Such dependent variation can ensure that the both the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in) and the output amplitude B remain generally constant.

The following procedure can therefore be employed for varying Â and θ_(in).

-   -   1) Begin with a value of θ_(in) which is sufficiently small or         sufficiently close to π radians, and a value of Â that is         sufficiently smaller than 1, so that Â cos(θ_(in)) is         sufficiently small.     -   2) Vary θ_(in) by the amount of Δθ_(in) (θ_(in)→θ_(in)+Δθ_(in))         and also vary Â by the amount of ΔÂ (Â→Â+ΔÂ), such that:         (Â+ΔÂ)cos(θ_(in)+Δθ_(in))≈={circumflex over (A)}         cos(θ_(in)).  (1.18)

The above variation can be executed for example, by selecting the following variation to Â, for a given variation Δθ_(in):

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\;\hat{A}} = {\frac{\hat{A}\mspace{11mu}{\cos\left( \theta_{in} \right)}}{\cos\left( {\theta_{in} + {\Delta\theta}_{in}} \right)} - \hat{A}}} & (1.19) \end{matrix}$

Such a procedure can ensure that the derivative dθ_(out)/dθ_(in), hence also B, remains generally constant over a sufficiently wide region. The change of θ_(out) is given by (dθ_(out)/dθ_(in))Δθ_(in).

It is appreciated that the user can control the value of g hence also the resolution of the phase shift of the output signal. For example, for Δθ_(in)=1°, the resolution of the output phase change Δθ_(out)∝θ_(in)/g can be on the order of 0.10° or 0.010° or 0.001° or even less.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system 10 for controlling the phase shift of a modulated signal.

System 10 includes a signal generator 12, for generating a modulated signal S_(source), having a first portion defining a first modulated signal 14 and a second portion defining a second modulated signal 18.

In some embodiments, not illustrated in FIG. 10, system 10 includes a first signal generator for generating a first modulated signal 14 and a second signal generator for generating a second modulated signal 18.

In some embodiments, first modulated signal 14 is received from another signal source (not shown) and signal generator 12 is used to generate second modulated signal 18.

First modulated signal 14 is directed to one or more signal manipulators, including first amplitude controller 20 configured to adjust, or control, the modulation amplitude of signal 14, and a first phase controller 22, configured to adjust, or control, the modulation phase of signal 14. Following operation of first amplitude controller 20 and first phase controller 22, is a processed signal 24, is given by the formula A₁ cos(Ωt+θ₁).

Second modulated signal 18 is directed to one or more signal manipulators, including second amplitude controller 26 configured to adjust, or control, the modulation amplitude of signal 18, and a second phase controller 28, configured to adjust, or control, the modulation phase of signal 18. The signal output from second amplitude controller 26 and second phase controller 28, is a controlling signal 30, given by the formula A₂ cos(Ωt+θ₂). The difference between the modulations phases of signal 14 and signal 18 is given by the formula θ_(in)=θ₁−θ₂.

In some embodiments amplitude controllers 20 and 26 are configured to set the ratio of the modulation amplitude of the controlling signal 30 and the processed signal 24, given by the formula Â=A₂/A₁ to a fixed value smaller than 1, which fixed value is controlled by the operator, while in other embodiments amplitude controllers 20 and 26 are configured to change the ratio of the modulation amplitude of the controlling signal 30 and the processed signal 24, given by the formula Â=A₂/A₁ together with changes to θ_(in).

In some embodiments, the values of θ_(in) and Â are set by controlling the modulation phase and modulation amplitude of only one of first and second modulated signals 14 and 18. Thus, in some embodiments in which the user controlled values of θ_(in) and Â are set only by manipulating first modulated signal 14, amplitude controller 26 and phase controller 28 may be obviated. In other embodiments in which the user controlled values of θ_(in) and Â are set only by manipulating second modulated signal 18, amplitude controller 20 and phase controller 22 may be obviated.

Signal manipulators 20, 22, 26, and/or 28 may include any suitable signal manipulator, and may comprise a suitable amplifier known in the art.

Processed signal 24 and controlling signal 30 are provided as input to an output signal generator 32, which generates an output signal 34, denoted S_(out), and given by the formula B cos(Ωt+θ_(out)). Due to the characteristics of processed signal 24 and controlling signal 30, the change in the modulation phase θ_(out) of output signal 34 (denoted Δθ_(out)) is proportional to variations made by the operator to θ_(in)=θ₂−θ₁ (denoted Δθ_(in)), and is smaller than such variations to Δθ_(in) by a modulation phase shift dividing factor (denoted g), or, stated mathematically, Δθ_(out)∝Δθ_(in)/g. As explained hereinabove, g is greater than 1, and in some embodiments is set by the operator to be sufficiently large, such that large changes in the phase difference θ_(in) of the signals input to output signal generator 32 is translated by output signal generator 32 to small changes in the phase of the output signal 34.

Example 2 Phase Amplification

Referring to Eq. (1.1) above, when the two signals being summed have a phase shift of π or nearly π (the signals are substantially mutually in anti-phase), and in addition the modulation amplitudes of the summed signals are exactly or nearly equal to one another, then it can be calculated that: θ_(out)−θ₁ =tn ⁻¹[∈/(α+∈²/2)]  (2.1) where ∈=|θ_(in)−π| and α=|Â−1|.

When the two signals have a phase difference θ_(in) close to 0, and they are subtracted from one another instead of being summed: θ_(out)−θ₁ =tn ⁻¹[θ_(in)/(α+θ_(in) ²/2)]  (2.2)

A small change ΔP in a physical parameter P of an object interacting with a signal affects a small change in the modulation phase θ₁ of that signal, which phase change can be as characterized by the derivative dθ₁/dP. As a result, a change defined by dθ_(out)/dP=(dθ_(out)/dθ₁)·(dθ₁/dP) is larger than the change in the modulation phase by a modulation phase shift amplification factor G, defined as G=dθ_(out)/dθ₁.

By applying derivation rules to EQs. (2.1) and (2.2), the sensitivity of the modulation phase of the output signal to changes in θ_(in) when θ_(in) is close to 0 is α/(α²+θ_(in) ²), which is maximal when θ_(in)=0, and the sensitivity of the modulation phase of the output signal to changes in ∈, when θ_(in) is close to π, is α/(α²+∈²), which is maximal when ∈=0. The sensitivities are inversely proportional to α. In cases in which θ₂ is constant, a maximal value of the modulation phase shift amplification factor is achieved, which maximal value amplification is given by: G _(MAX)=1/α  (7)

The output signal modulation amplitude B, which when α<<1, and when ∈=0 or θ_(in)=0 is approximately equal to α, and provides a lower bound on suitable values of α. For example, for α=0.01, G_(MAX)=100 and the output signal modulation amplitude B is reduced by two orders of magnitude in the region of maximum sensitivity.

The sensitivity and G are within 50% of the maximal sensitivity as long as |∈|<α when θ_(in) is close to π, and θ_(in)<α, when θ_(in) is close to 0.

FIG. 11A displays a graph showing values of θ_(out)−θ₁ as a function of the value of ∈ (when θ_(in) is close to π) or θ_(in) (when θ_(in) is close to 0). As shown, the maximum slope (sensitivity) corresponds to the region of small θ_(in) or ∈ values. Specifically, from plot 200 is seen that when α=0.001, the region of high sensitivity is in the range of −0.001<∈, θ_(in)<0.001. From plot 202 is seen that when α=0.101, the region of high sensitivity is in the range of −0.101<∈, θ_(in)<0.101. From plot 204 is seen that when α=0.201, the region of high sensitivity is in the range of −0.201<∈, θ_(in)<0.201. From plot 206 is seen that when α=0.401, the region of high sensitivity is in the range of −0.401<∈, θ_(in)<0.401. It is therefore concluded that when θ_(in) is close to π the region for ∈ which has high sensitivity is given by the formula |∈|<α, and when θ_(in) is close to 0 the region for θ_(in) which has high sensitivity is given by the formula |θ_(in)|<α. FIG. 11B displays plot 200 of FIG. 11A, over a smaller region around the value of small ∈ or θ_(in), to more clearly show the exact region of high sensitivity.

FIG. 12 displays a graph 300 of the dependence of the modulation amplitude B of the output signal on the value of ∈ (for θ_(in) close to π) or θ_(in) (for θ_(in) close to 0) for α=0.01, showing the reduction in amplitude by a factor equal to α=0.01 in the region of high sensitivity.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system 400 for sensing the displacement of an object and for three dimensional imaging of an object using a method for quantifying a modulation phase shift of a modulated signal subsequent to interaction with the object according to an embodiment of the teachings herein.

System 400 comprises a waveform generator 402 which generates a sinusoidal modulated signal 404 which modulates a light source 406. The light source may provide illumination at any suitable wavelength range, as further detailed hereinabove.

Waveform generator 402 and light source 406 together define a signal generator 408 which emits a modulated light signal 410. The modulated light signal 410 is directed towards, and illuminates an object 412 located at a distance z₀ from the light source 406. Subsequently, the distance traversed by the light signal 410 from light source 406 to object 412 is changed by a distance dz. In some embodiments this occurs when illuminated object 412 changes its position by a distance dz, such that it is at a distance z₀+dz from the light source 406. The new position of the object 412 is indicated by reference numeral 414. In other embodiments, this occurs when the modulated light signal 410 is directed at another point on object 412, which point is at a different distance from the light source 406.

At least some of the modulated light signal 410 which impinges on object 412 is reflected as a reflected signal 416, and at least a portion of the reflected signal 416 is collected by a light detector 418. Due to the movement of object 412 to position 414, the modulation phase of light signal 416 varies linearly with the change dz in location of the object 412 by an amount proportional to 2 Kdz, where K=Ω/c=2πf_(m)/c. This is due to the fact that the distance between the light source 406 and the object 412 has increased by dz, and thus the total propagation distance of light signal 410 from light source 406 to object 412 and light signal 416 from the object 412 to the detector 418 has increased by a distance of 2dz. Consequently, the time of flight of modulated light signal 410 from light source 406 to object 412, and the time of flight of reflected signal 416 from object 412 to the detector increases proportionately to the increase in distance.

Light detector 418 provides as an output a received signal 420, which is a modulated (sinusoidal) signal. Received signal 420 has a modulation phase which corresponds to the modulation phase of light signal 416 reflected from object 412, and a modulation amplitude that is dependent upon several parameters, among them the alternating current (AC) power of the modulated light signal 410 and the reflection of the object 412 at its original location or at location 414.

In some embodiments signal 420 is provided as an input to amplitude locker 422, which is configured to lock the modulation amplitude of signal 420 and, such that a sinusoidal modulated signal 424 provided as the output of amplitude locker 422 has a set modulation amplitude value, controlled by an operator of the system 400, and a modulation phase that corresponds to the modulation phase of signals 420 and 416. In some embodiments, the modulation amplitude of signal 424 is independent of the modulation amplitude of signal 420 provided as input to amplitude locker 422. As such, signal 424 has a constant modulation amplitude (which value is determined and set by the operator), and a modulation phase including a constant component (whose value is determined and set by the operator) and a component that changes proportionally with 2 Kdz.

It is appreciated that setting of the modulation amplitude and/or of the constant component of the modulation phase can be accomplished by various electric circuits, for example in combination with an amplifier, as known in the art.

Concurrently with directing of a signal 410 towards object 412 and receipt and processing of received signal 416, waveform generator 402 generates another modulated signal 426, and provides the modulated signal 426 to at least one signal manipulator 428. Signal manipulator 428 provides as output a reference signal 430.

One or more signal manipulator 428 is configured to set the modulation amplitude and modulation phase of signal 426 to generate reference signal 430 as output. The modulation amplitude of reference signal 430 is set to be substantially equal to the modulation phase of signal 424, such that a ratio of the modulation amplitude of the reference signal 430 and the modulation amplitude of signal 424 is close to 1.

In some embodiments, the modulation phase of reference signal 430 is set to be offset from the modulation phase of signal 424 by an amount close to π radians (for an illuminated object at a distance of z₀ from the illuminating light source).

In some embodiments, reference signal 430 is set to be substantially in phase with signal 424, i.e., the modulation phase of reference signal 430 is set to be offset from the modulation phase of signal 424 by an amount close to 0 (for an illuminated object at a distance of z₀ from the illuminating light source). Signal 424 and reference signal 430 are provided to an output signal provider 432, which provides as output a modulated output signal 434.

In embodiments in which the modulation phase of reference signal 430 is set to be offset from the modulation phase of signal 424 by an amount close to π radians, output signal provider 432 comprises a component, such as a signal-adder, configured to provide an output signal including the sum of AC portions of the signal 424 and of reference signal 430, or to provide an output signal having an AC component which is proportional to the sum of the AC components of signal 424 and of reference signal 430 at a modulation frequency of Ω. In embodiments in which the modulation phase of reference signal 430 is set to be offset from the modulation phase of signal 424 by an amount close to 0, output signal provider 432 comprises a component, such as a signal subtractor, configured to provide an output signal including the difference between signal 424 and reference signal 430, or to provide an output signal having an AC component which is proportional to the difference of the AC components of signal 424 and of reference signal 430 at a modulation frequency of Ω.

The modulated output signal 434 has an output signal modulation amplitude of B and an output signal modulation phase, which output signal modulation phase changes with displacement of magnitude dz of object 412. Due to the modulation phase amplification factor of signal 424, the output signal modulation phase of modulated output signal 434 is amplified.

Modulated output signal 434 is provided as an input to a modulation phase measurer 436. Modulation phase measurer 436 identifies and quantifies the values of the output signal modulation phase and/or of changes to the output signal modulation phase, and provides as output an output signal modulation measure signal 438, representing the output signal modulation phase and/or phase changes thereto.

In some embodiments, modulated output signal 434 may be provided as an input to a modulation amplitude measurer (not shown) in addition to, or instead of, being provided to modulation phase measurer 436. The modulation amplitude measurer identifies and quantifies the values of the output signal modulation amplitude B and/or of changes to the output signal modulation amplitude ΔB, and provides as output an output signal modulation measure signal 438 representing the output signal modulation phase B and/or changes ΔB thereto.

Output signal modulation measure signal 438 is provided as an input to an electronic calculation system 440. Electronic calculation system 440 computes the value of dz using known values of G and K based on the formula dz=Δ(θ_(out)−θ₁)/(G2K). Where Δ(θ_(out)−θ₁) is the measured phase change. The value of dz computed by electronic calculation system 440, and in some embodiments also a measure of the distance z₀ at which object 412 was displaced, is output from electronic calculation system 440 as a parameter change signal 442. The parameter change signal 442 is provided to the operator via a user interface 444, such as a memory, display, speaker, or transmitting system.

Given the discussion hereinabove, it is appreciated that for a modulation phase measurer 436 having a minimum resolvable modulation phase change Δξ_(min), the minimum resolvable change in displacement is dz_(min)=Δξ_(min)/(G2K).

There is a maximum resolvable depth window in the range z₀±Δz_(max), where Δz_(max)=α/2K. The number of resolvable depth points is N≡Δz_(max)/dz_(min)=1/(2Δξ_(min)).

For example, considering a situation in which the value of α is set to be 0.04 such that the values of G and Δξ_(min) are given by G=1/α=25 and Δξ_(min)=20mRad, and the modulation frequency is set at f_(m)=2 MHz, the depth resolution is approximately 1 cm and the size of the maximal depth window is given by 2Δz_(max)≈50 cm, with 25 resolution points.

It is appreciated that some embodiments of the method and systems of the teachings herein allow one to obtain sub-micron depth resolution. For example, if f_(m)=20 GHz and α is set to be 0.01 so that G=100, the depth resolution is reduced to 0.25 microns, or, in other words, to sub-micron depth resolution. As will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art, there are many applications in high-precision manufacturing and metrology which require such resolution.

It is further appreciated that some embodiments of the methods and the systems of the teachings herein do not impose a coherence requirement on the frequency or phase characteristics of the electromagnetic radiation which is acting as the carrier for the modulated signal. Therefore, some embodiments of the teachings herein are advantageous over other high-resolution techniques known in the art, which do impose such a coherency requirement.

The main elements of the embodiment of FIG. 13 described hereinabove can be implemented for two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) imaging, such as for topography mapping, computer gaming, radar and other applications.

In some such embodiments, various technological elements and method may be used, such as using an array of detectors such as CMOS-based arrays or other types of detector arrays together with imaging optics to image n×m volume pixels (voxels) in parallel, while changing the direction of the illumination beam in two-dimensions (e.g., elevation and azimuth) to “scan” a region.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of generating a signal being phase-shifted at a predetermined phase-shift division factor, F, relative to a reference signal, the method comprising: selecting a modulation amplitude that is g times smaller than a modulation amplitude of said reference signal, wherein g is at least 5 and wherein F and g satisfy F=1/g; modulating a control signal at a modulation phase relative to said reference signal and at said selected modulation amplitude, wherein a cosine of a difference θ_(in) between modulation phases of the reference signal and the control signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.5; and combining the reference signal and said control signal to form the phase-shifted signal.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating at least one of said control signal and the reference signal.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a value of a phase of said control signal based on said selected modulation amplitude.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a value of a phase of said control signal, wherein said selection of said modulation amplitude is based also on said selected phase.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sequentially repeating said selection of said modulation amplitude, said modulation of said control signal and said combining at least once, each time using a previously formed phase-shifted signal as the reference signal.
 6. A phase shifter system, comprising: an amplitude selection circuit, configured for selecting, based on a predetermined phase-shift division factor, F, a modulation amplitude that is g times smaller than a modulation amplitude of said reference signal, wherein g is at least 5 and wherein F and g satisfy F=1/g; a modulation circuit, configured for modulating a control signal at a modulation phase relative to said reference signal and at said selected modulation amplitude, wherein a cosine of a difference θ_(in) between modulation phases of the reference signal and the control signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.95; and a signal combiner configured for combining the reference signal and said control signal to form a phase-shifted signal relative to said reference signal.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said modulation circuit is a signal generation and modulation circuit configured for generating at least one of said control signal and reference signal.
 8. The system according to claim 6, comprising a circuitry array having a plurality of array elements, each having at least one of: a respective amplitude selection circuit, a respective modulation circuit and a respective signal combiner, wherein a phase-shifted signal formed at each array element is used as a reference signal at a subsequent array element, if present.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said selected modulation amplitude is substantially smaller than a modulation amplitude of the reference signal.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said selected modulation amplitude is substantially smaller than a modulation amplitude of the reference signal, and wherein a ratio between said modulation amplitude of said reference signal and said selected modulation amplitude is at least
 5. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said combining comprises summing.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said combining comprises multiplication to provide a multiplication signal, followed by extraction from said multiplication signal components being linearly proportional to each of said reference signal and said control signal.
 13. A method of amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal, the method comprising: varying a modulation of at least one of the signals such that a ratio between modulation amplitudes of the signal and the reference signal is at least 0.9 and at most 1.1, and a cosine of a phase difference between the reference signal and the signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.95; and forming an output signal which is a linear combination of the reference signal and the signal, following said variation, said linear combination being characterized by a linear combination coefficient which is within 10% from an additive inverse of a nearest integer of said cosine.
 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising generating at least one of the signals.
 15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising measuring a phase of said output signal relative to the reference signal.
 16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising measuring a change of phase of said output signal over time.
 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising measuring a change of phase of said output signal over time.
 18. A system for amplifying a phase shift of a signal relative to a reference signal, the system comprising: a modulation circuit, configured for varying a modulation of at least one of the signals such that a ratio between modulation amplitudes of the signal and the reference signal is at least 0.9 and at most 1.1, and a cosine of a phase difference between the signal and the reference signal, in absolute value, is at least 0.95 and less than 1; and a signal combiner configured for forming a linear combination of the signals, following said variation, said linear combination being characterized by a linear combination coefficient which is within 10% from an additive inverse of a nearest integer of said cosine.
 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said modulation circuit is a signal generation and modulation circuit configured for generating at least one of the signal and the reference signal.
 20. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a phase detector circuit configured for measuring a phase of said output signal relative to the reference signal.
 21. The system according to claim 18, further comprising phase-change detector circuit configured for measuring a change of phase of said output signal over time.
 22. The method according to claim 13, wherein said linear combination is formed by a signal summing circuit.
 23. The method according to claim 13, wherein said linear combination is formed by a signal subtraction circuit.
 24. The method according to claim 13, wherein said linear combination is formed optically.
 25. The method according to claim 13, wherein said linear combination is formed by multiplying said signal to provide a multiplication signal, and extracting from said multiplication signal components being linearly proportional to each of said signals.
 26. An appliance system, comprising the system according to claim 6, the appliance system being configured for at least one of: measuring an internal structure of an object, measuring a distance to an object, measuring a motion characteristic, measuring flow, transmitting and receiving radiofrequency radiation, transmitting and receiving optical radiation, interferometry and communication.
 27. The method according to claim 1, wherein said absolute value of said cosine is at least 0.99.
 28. The method according to claim 1, wherein a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and said control signal is in a range selected from the group consisting of a radiofrequency range, a sub-kilohertz range, a kilohertz range, a megahertz range and a gigahertz range.
 29. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the reference signal and said control signal is carried by a carrier signal, and wherein a modulation frequency of both the reference signal and said control signal is at least 10 times lower than a carrier frequency of said carrier signal, said carrier signal being selected from the group consisting of a carrier electrical signal, a carrier ultrasound signal and a carrier optical signal. 